Malaysia Solidifies ASEAN Role With Peace Deal In Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute - Analysts
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s success in brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia not only eased border tensions but also reinforced its role as a key leader and facilitator within the ASEAN framework, according to an expert.
Senior Lecturer at the Department of International Relations, Security and Law, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Dr Nor Aishah Hanifa, said Malaysia, as ASEAN chair under the leadership of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, had displayed strong capability in fulfilling regional obligations.
“Malaysia’s success in shuttle diplomacy during the Thailand-Cambodian border dispute has significantly bolstered its standing in regional diplomacy.
“The outcome of the extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Aug 7 demonstrated the ASEAN mechanism’s effectiveness in resolving regional disputes,” she said when contacted by Bernama.
Nor Aishah said that Malaysia’s role garnered praise from other countries, as well as support from both the United States and China, reflecting respect for the country’s efforts to maintain regional peace.
She also emphasised Malaysia’s commitment to deploying an observation team to the border and mediating negotiations as a significant contribution to ASEAN’s security cooperation.
“Malaysia’s role could serve as a model for resolving other border or military disputes in Southeast Asia. This success reflects ASEAN countries’ confidence in Malaysia’s leadership and the Prime Minister’s credibility,” she added.
Meanwhile, international relations and political analyst from Universiti Utara Malaysia, Nur Ashikin Yusof, said the success had enhanced Malaysia’s reputation as a constructive and credible country in ASEAN diplomacy.
“Malaysia’s success as a facilitator in resolving the border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has reinforced the country’s standing in international relations as a credible, neutral and constructive actor,” she said.
According to Nur Ashikin, this success highlighted the need to reform ASEAN’s security framework to strengthen collective action and conflict prevention mechanisms.
“Malaysia’s success should be viewed not merely as a bilateral achievement but as a catalyst for reforming ASEAN’s security structure, including strengthening mechanisms such as the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, the ASEAN Maritime Forum, and the ASEAN Eyes Initiative,” she said.
In a broader context, Nur Ashikin stated that this success had paved the way for Malaysia to take on a more prominent role in global peace efforts.
Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said Malaysia’s role in facilitating peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed its credibility as ASEAN’s rotating chairman and signalled a possible shift in the bloc’s approach to regional security.
“It also reinforced Malaysia’s relations with the United States, as both countries co-organised the peace talks. Assuming ASEAN sends some form of peacekeeping or monitoring force, it would be the first time the bloc plays a proactive role in maintaining internal peace and security,” he said.
Oh noted that while the peace agreement could serve as a model for resolving other border or military disputes in Southeast Asia, Malaysia should avoid rushing to extend its peace initiatives beyond the region.
Tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours have steadily escalated since a deadly clash on May 28 near the Preah Vihear area that left one Cambodian soldier dead.
On July 28, both countries agreed to an unconditional, immediate ceasefire following a special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Anwar.
During the meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to hold the GBC meeting as part of the ceasefire agreement.
--BERNAMA
